Cup holder for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle cup holders, including: a housing (100) with a receiving section (110) with an open upper section; a flap (200) which is installed in an opening (120) formed in a wall of the receiving section (110), wherein the flap (200) is configured to rotate about a hinge (210) and has a front outer surface configured to come into contact with an object received in the receiving section (110); a spring ring (300) coupled to the housing (100) to elastically support the flap (200); at least one shield (220) which is formed on the left and right side of an outer surface of the flap (200) such that it projects outwards from the flap (200); and a stopper (230) provided on the flap (200) to protrude in a predetermined direction so that the flap (200) can rotate into a predetermined position around the hinge (210).

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Utility Model Application KR 20 0 488 080 Y1, filed on November 23, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL AREA

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cup holder for a motor vehicle. Such cup holders for motor vehicles are known, for example, from US 2015 / 0 251 582 A1, US 2011 / 0 297 715 A1, DE 10 2007 050 787 A1, and EP 2 962 896 A1. BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventionally, a cup holder for a motor vehicle is installed as a sliding type to be accommodated in or retracted from a center front panel on which an audio or air conditioning control panel, etc., is installed. Alternatively, a cup holder for a motor vehicle is installed on a console tray between a gearshift lever and the console case to be exposed.

[0004] Generally, a cup holder receiving hole has been formed with a predetermined size. Recently, however, a structure for such a receiving hole has been adopted that can accommodate various beverage containers of different diameters. Furthermore, a structure capable of firmly supporting an outer surface of a beverage container to prevent it from being shaken by vehicle vibration has been applied to such a receiving hole.

[0005] For example, a cup holder for a motor vehicle disclosed in a related art includes a housing having a receiving portion opened in its upper region, a lid provided in an opening formed in a wall of the receiving portion, and a band-shaped spring ring coupled to the outer portion of the housing to elastically support the lid.

[0006] In the conventional automobile cup holder, when a cup is inserted into the receiving portion formed in the housing, the outer surface of the cup is brought into contact with the flap provided in the opening of the receiving portion, and the flap is elastically held by the spring ring to thereby support the cup so that the cup is not moved.

[0007] However, such a conventional cup holder for an automobile has a problem in that light leaks through a gap formed between an outer surface of the lid and an inner surface of the opening formed in the wall of the receiving portion, so that the leaked light is visible through the gap. In addition, in a conventional cup holder, engaging projections formed respectively under the left and right sides of the outer surface of the lid rotate about a hinge. Due to the structural feature, such a conventional cup holder for an automobile has another problem in that when a front surface of the lid enters the receiving portion, supporting projections are brought into contact with the outer surface of the housing, resulting in the occurrence of friction noise.

[0008] In the prior art, an additional problem is that when a vehicle occupant operates the flap with a finger from the inside of the receiving portion at an angle greater than a mounting angle, the spring ring elastically supporting the flap is damaged and loses this function, and the flap is separated when the hinge is detached from the housing. SUMMARY

[0009] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cup holder for a motor vehicle in which light is prevented from leaking through a gap formed between an outer surface of a lid provided in an opening formed in a housing and an inner surface of an opening formed in a wall of a receiving portion. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cup holder for a motor vehicle in which, even when a vehicle occupant continuously presses the lid, which is mounted in the opening of the housing so as to be rotatable about a hinge, with a finger from the inside of the receiving portion, the lid is prevented from being rotated about the hinge by a predetermined range or more.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a cup holder for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing having a receiving portion with an open upper portion; a lid installed in an opening formed in a wall of the receiving portion, the lid configured to rotate about a hinge and having a front outer surface configured to come into contact with an object received in the receiving portion; a spring ring coupled to the housing to elastically support the lid; at least one shield formed on the left and right sides of an outer surface of the lid so as to protrude outward from the lid; and a stopper provided on the lid to protrude in a predetermined direction to allow the lid to rotate to a predetermined position about the hinge.

[0011] The spring ring may be band-shaped, and the spring ring is coupled to an outer portion of the housing.

[0012] The at least one shield may be formed on the left and right sides of a rear portion of the outer surface of the flap.

[0013] The at least one shield may be extended in the vertical direction (upwards and downwards).

[0014] The stopper may be provided at an upper portion of the flap.

[0015] The predetermined direction may be an upward direction.

[0016] The predetermined position may be a position in which the front outer surface of the flap is flush with the wall of the receiving portion.

[0017] The at least one shield may be provided with an elastic buffer to prevent the shield from rubbing against an outer surface of the housing while in direct contact with the outer surface of the housing.

[0018] The at least one shield may include a buffer configured to come into contact with the wall when the flap is pushed by the object and then returned to its original position.

[0019] The hinge may include an anchor portion formed by cutting an engaging elastic deformation portion, and the anchor portion may be configured to deform while the hinge is inserted into a seating groove formed in the housing. Additionally, the housing may include an engaging protrusion provided on an outer surface of the housing, the engaging protrusion being configured to form an overlap portion between an outer surface of the anchor portion and an outer surface of the engaging protrusion after the hinge is inserted into the seating groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cup holder for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the automatic cup holder for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cup holder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a plan view in section showing one portion of the cup holder for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a hinge provided on the lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle is inserted into a housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing a state after the hinge provided on the lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle is inserted into the housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing a state in which the lid of the cup holder for an automobile is mounted in the case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, systems, and components have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the various embodiments.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a cup holder for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the automatic cup holder according to the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cup holder for a motor vehicle of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a plan view in section showing one portion of the cup holder for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing the state in which the hinge provided on the lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle of the present disclosure is fitted into a housing. Fig. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing the state after the hinge provided on the lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle of the present invention is inserted into the housing, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing the state in which the lid of the cup holder for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure is mounted in the housing.

[0023] Expressions referring to directions, such as “front (F) / back (R) / left (Le) / right (R) / top (U) / bottom (D)”, are based on the representations in Fig. 5. However, this is provided merely to describe the present disclosure for a better understanding thereof, and it is understood that the respective directions may be defined differently depending on where the reference is placed.

[0024] As in the Fig. 1 to 8, a cup holder for a motor vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a housing 100 having a receiving portion 110 with an open upper portion. The cup holder includes a flap 200 installed in an opening 120 formed in a wall of the receiving portion 110. The flap 200 is configured such that the front outer surface of the flap 200 comes into contact with a received object received in the receiving portion 110. The received object may be a cup or the like. The flap 200 is configured to rotate in a forward and backward direction about a pivot 210. The flap 200 is configured to come into contact with a received object while rotating about the pivot 210. The cup holder includes a spring ring 300 coupled to the housing 100 to support the flap 200. The spring ring 300 can be band-shaped.The spring ring 300 may be coupled to an outer portion of the housing. The spring ring 300 may be configured to resiliently support the flap 200.

[0025] The cup holder includes at least one shield 220. The shield 220 may be layered. The shield 220 is formed on the left and right sides of the outer surface of the lid 200. The shield 220 is formed on the left and right sides of a rear portion of the lid 200.

[0026] In one embodiment, a shield 220 may be formed on the left and right sides of the flap 200. For example, one shield 220 may surround the left, right, and bottom sides of the flap 200.

[0027] In another embodiment, the shields 220 may include a first shield 220 formed on the left side of the flap 200 and a second shield 220 formed on the right side of the flap 200. The first shield 220 and the second shield 220 may be separate from each other.

[0028] The shield 220 extends in the longitudinal direction. The shield 220 extends in the vertical direction (upward and downward). The shield 220 protrudes outward from the lid 200. The cup holder includes a stopper 230. The stopper 230 may be provided at an upper portion of the lid 200. The stopper 230 protrudes in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction may be an upward direction. The stopper 230 is configured so that the lid 200 can only rotate to a predetermined position about the hinge 210. The predetermined position may be a position in which a front surface of the lid 200 is flush with the wall of the receiving portion 110.

[0029] The shield 220, which is provided on the left and right sides of the outer surface of the door 200, projecting outward in the longitudinal direction, can be molded integrally with the door 200 during injection molding. However, it should be understood that injection molding may be performed in the state where a separate shield 220 formed in different colors can be inserted into a mold at the time of injection molding the door 200.

[0030] Additionally, each of the shields 220 is provided with a buffer 221. The buffer is elastic, such as rubber. The buffer 221 is configured to come into contact with the wall of the receiving section 110. The buffer is configured to come into contact with the wall of the receiving section 110 when the flap 200 is pushed by the received object and then returned to its original position. The buffer 221 is more elastic than the wall of the receiving section 110.

[0031] The hinge 210 includes an anchor portion 211. The anchor portion 211 is formed by cutting an engaging elastic deformation portion 211a. The anchor portion 211 is configured to be deformed while the hinge 210 is inserted into a seating groove 130 formed in the housing 100. The housing 100 includes an engaging projection 131. The engaging projection 131 is configured to provide a predetermined amount of overlap portion L after the hinge 210 is smoothly inserted into the seating groove 130. The engaging projection 131 is provided on an upper portion of an outer surface of the housing 100.

[0032] In the present disclosure, configured as described above, the flap 200 is mounted in the opening 120 provided in the wall of the receiving portion 110 of the housing 100. Furthermore, the band-shaped spring ring 300 is coupled to the outer surface of the housing 100 to elastically hold the flap 200.

[0033] In this configuration, when an upward load is applied to the flap 200 in the state where the anchor portion 211 provided on the hinge 210 is arranged under the seat groove 130 provided in the housing 100, the anchor portion 211 is elastically deformed by the engagement of the elastic deformation portion 211a, as shown in Fig. 6, and is inserted into the seat groove 130 as shown in Fig. 7 shown.

[0034] As in the Fig. 7 and Fig.As shown in Fig. 8, since a predetermined amount of overlap portion L is provided between the outer surface of the anchor portion 211 and the outer surface of the engaging projection 131, the anchor portion 211 inserted into the seating groove 130 will not be released even if a received object, such as a cup, is inserted into or withdrawn from the receiving portion 110 of the housing 100. The engaging projection 131 is provided with the seating groove 130. The overlap portion L is provided in the state where the lid 200 is in the predetermined position. The overlap portion L is provided even in the state where the stopper 230 comes into contact with the outer surface of the housing 100. The overlap portion L is a portion in the forward and backward directions.The overlap portion L is formed between an outer surface of the anchor portion 211 and an outer surface of the engaging projection 131 after the joint 210 is inserted into the seating groove 130. The overlap portion L is a portion between a front point of the anchor portion 211 and a rear point of the engaging projection 131.

[0035] In addition, a gap formed between the door 200 and the opening 120 is shielded by the shield 220, preventing any light leakage phenomenon. The gap is formed between an outer surface of the door 200 and an inner surface of the opening 120. The door 200 is installed to be rotatable about the hinge 210 in the opening 120, being elastically supported by the elastic force of the spring ring 300. Since the stopper 230 comes into contact with the outer wall of the housing 100, the operating amount of the door 200 is controlled so that the door 200 rotates only to the predetermined position.

[0036] When the flap 200 is rotated about the hinge 210 to return to its original position, the buffer 221 absorbs the frictional force while coming into contact with the outer surface of the housing 100, thereby preventing the occurrence of frictional noise.

[0037] Even if an occupant on board a vehicle cabin pushes the lid 200 into the interior of the receiving portion with a finger, the stopper 230 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the housing 100, and the lid 200 is no longer rotated. Thus, it is possible to prevent in advance the spring ring 300 that elastically supports the lid 200 from being damaged and to prevent in advance the hinge 210 of the lid 200 from being detached from the housing 100.

[0038] According to the present disclosure, in some embodiments, even if an occupant in a vehicle cabin pushes the lid by a finger inside the receiving portion at an angle greater than a mounting angle, the lid can be prevented from being rotated about the hinge beyond a predetermined range and to prevent the lid from being detached from the housing in advance.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, in some embodiments, no light leakage phenomenon occurs because the gap formed between the outer surface of the lid in the opening provided in the housing is formed such that the lid is rotatable about the hinge while being elastically supported by the elastic force of the band-shaped spring ring and the inner surface of the opening provided in the wall of the receiving portion is shielded by the at least one shield provided longitudinally on the left and right sides of the rear portion of the outer surface of the lid.

[0040] While specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosures. Indeed, the embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made in the form of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the disclosures. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications that would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosures.

Claims

[1] Cup holder for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing (100) having a receiving portion (110) with an open upper portion; a flap (200) installed in an opening (120) formed in a wall of the receiving portion (110), the flap (200) being configured to rotate about a hinge (210) and having a front outer surface configured to come into contact with an object received in the receiving portion (110); a spring ring (300) coupled to the housing (100) to elastically support the flap (200); at least one shield (220) formed on the left and right sides of an outer surface of the flap (200) so as to protrude outwardly from the flap (200); and a stopper (230) provided on the flap (200) to protrude in a predetermined direction to allow the flap (200) to rotate to a predetermined position about the hinge (210). [2] The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the spring ring (300) is a band-shaped ring and the spring ring (300) is coupled to an outer portion of the housing (100). [3] The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one shield (220) is formed on the left and right sides of a rear portion of the outer surface of the flap (200). [4] Cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover (220) is elongated in the vertical direction. [5] The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the stopper (230) is provided at an upper portion of the flap (200). [6] The cup holder according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined direction is an upward direction. [7] A cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is a position in which the front outer surface of the flap (200) is flush with the wall of the receiving portion (110). [8] Cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one shield (220) is provided with an elastic buffer (221). [9] The cup holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one shield (220) includes a buffer (221) configured to contact the wall when the flap (200) is pushed by the object and then returned to its original position. [10] The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (210) includes an anchor portion (211) formed by cutting an engaging elastic deformation portion (211a), the anchor portion (211) being configured to be deformed while the hinge (210) is fitted into a seating groove (130) formed in the housing (100), and the housing (100) includes an engaging projection (131) provided on an outer surface of the housing (100), the engaging projection (131) being configured to form an overlap portion (L) between an outer surface of the anchor portion (211) and an outer surface of the engaging projection (131) after the hinge (210) is fitted into the seating groove (130).

Images